Powerhouse Church in Watts receives facelift through volunteers

    Nov. 11, 2008
    Pacific Dental Services provided dentistry to the community of Watts in Los Angeles.

    IRVINE, California--Pacific Dental Services had more than 250 employees, affiliated dentists and family members embark Nov. 8 on a one-day "We Serve" outreach trip to SPA 6/South Area Health District in the Watts area of Los Angeles.

    The site was Powerhouse Church, where they were able to beautify the building and property, construct a playground, level and landscape a nearby abandoned lot, and provide free dentistry to more than 150 community members. The day commenced with a free barbecue for the community.

    "We Serve" is an integral part of the PDS mission and a foundation to PDS' corporate responsibility of encouraging employees and dentists to give back to less fortunate communities.

    PDS partnered with World Impact, Inc., a Christian mission organization committed to sharing God's love in America's inner cities through ministry to children, teenagers, adults and families.

    Together PDS and the World Impact Watts Office decided that the Powerhouse Church, located near the Imperial Courts Housing Project, was the site that would most benefit from PDS' efforts. 

    The neighborhood relies on this church as a safe haven for families to gather, not only for worship but also for medical and dental services. PDS volunteers painted and carpeted the interior of the building, landscaped the outer gardens with new ground cover and soil, added onto the existing playground, constructed planter benches and beautified a nearby abandoned lot through leveling and landscaping. 

    World Impact Health Ministry assisted PDS in planning the exams, cleanings, fillings, restorations, and extractions to more than 150 adults and children.

    With supplies donated by Henry Schein, Sirona Dental Systems, Patterson Dental and Kerr TotalCare, each patient was given instruction on basic dental hygiene and received a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.

    Kevin Sauer, manager of professional recruiting said, "It was incredible to see the PDS team working together to provide a service to the community. The impact we had on the families who live there will last forever. They were so grateful to us for helping them. I don't know who got more out of the day--the people who lived there, or our team."

    For more information, visit Pacific Dental Services.

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